[2] Hartshorne played for Moxley White Star and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in June 1902.
He was sold to local rivals Stoke in April 1903 to ease Vale's financial troubles.
[3] At the Victoria Ground, Hartshorne played as a regular in the 1903–04 and 1904–05 campaigns, and was fast becoming a popular player with the supporters due to his 'hard yet controlled' tackling skill.
[2] He helped the "Saints" to claim a second-place finish in the Southern League in 1905–06 and was an ever-present in their run to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
[1][5] Hartshorne was a "well-built" and pacey left-back who boasted good ball-control skills.